True crime, provocative politicians & aircraft adventures: Screen Australia invests $4.4 million in 6 new documentaries

The latest rounds from Screen Australia's Documentary Production Broadcast and Producer programs will fund 16 ambitious and significant documentaries. The documentaries will receive nearly $4.4 million investment generating a total production expenditure of close to $16.7 million.

Screen Australia's Senior Manager, Documentary, Liz Stevens, said, In the second round of the Producer program we are pleased to see producers aiming at ambitious and multi-layered release plans for stories that will appeal. The documentaries coming through the Broadcast program offer audiences good insights and a few surprises into many compelling Australian stories.

Through the Producer program, filmmakers have the flexibility to find the best pathway to their audience.

The seven projects to receive support use innovative ways of reaching audiences, the feature documentary Mountain by Stranger Than Fiction Films is a good example of this. Jennifer Peedom (Sherpa) will direct and Jo-anne McGowan will produce the film about the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. Set to make its world premiere in 2016, the film will screen at a high-profile live event accompanied by a live performance of an original Richard Tognetti soundtrack by the internationally acclaimed Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO). The live cinematic production will tour internationally with the ACO, followed by festival screenings and an aspiration to release in IMAX cinemas locally/internationally before television broadcast.

In a true multiplatform setting, Intafusion Films' Motorkite Dreaming will see two adventurers attempting to be the first to fly microlights across Australia. Charlie Hill-Smith will direct the film with producer John Cherry. The film has secured a theatrical release for the feature version, a broadcast partner for the four-part series domestically with NITV/SBS2 and globally on a variety of platforms with Red Bull TV.

Below is a complete list of documentaries to receive support through the Producer program.

The Broadcast program will support nine films that will screen to local and international audiences on television. In this round, Cordell Jigsaw will make Hanson: The Years That Shook Australia about provocative politician/fish-and-chip shop owner Pauline Hanson. Anna Broinowski will direct and will team up with Toni Malone to produce the film for SBS.

Conviction by director Terry Carlyon, who will also produce the film with Robyn Miller and John Silvester, will air on the ABC. DD & B Productions will make the documentary that takes an inside look at a homicide squad as they build a case in the glare of social media commentary against a killer.

Blackfella films will receive support to make two documentaries. Deep Water is an innovative multiplatform venture that will be a feature drama (previously announced), documentary and online content. Deep Water recalls in full the gay-hate crime epidemic in Sydney that saw up to 80 murders and 30 unsolved cases. Jacob Hickey will write and Darren Dale will produce the film for SBS. The duo will also make the second series of respected documentary First Contact for SBS.

The Documentary Production Producer and Broadcast programs now accept applications through the Online Application Portal. The next deadline for the Producer program is 19 June 2015. From 1 July 2015, the Broadcast program will accept applications at any time.

DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION PRODUCER PROGRAM

CHINA'S DEEP DIVE / RIDING THE OCEAN DRAGON (working title)

50 mins

Sealight Pictures Pty Ltd

Producer Adam Geiger

Executive Producer Colette Beaudry

Directors Adam Geiger, Rachael Thornton

Synopsis For the very first time, China invites an Australian journalist on a mission that risks national pride, millions of dollars and dozens of lives including our host's. Rachael Thornton spends five weeks at sea with the world's deepest diving three-person sub as it explores the wealth of the deep.

GLENN MURCUTT ARCHITECT

58 mins

Catherine Hunter Productions

Producer Julia Overton

Director Catherine Hunter

Synopsis Glenn Murcutt Architect explores the life and art of Australia's most famous living architect. At 79 years, he is tackling the most unusual commission of his career.

MOTORKITE DREAMING

96 mins, 4 x 24 mins

Intafusion Films Pty Ltd

Producer John Cherry

Executive Producers Marcus Gillezeau, Ruth Cross, Simon Nasht

Director Charlie Hill-Smith

Synopsis Motorkite Dreaming is an extreme cultural adventure following two young Aussie adventurers and their fianc es giving wings to their crazy idea to be the first to fly microlights 5,000 km across Australia, with an award-winning filmmaker trying to keep up!

MOUNTAIN

70 mins

Stranger Than Fiction Films Pty Ltd

Producer Jo-anne McGowan

Executive Producer Stephen Boyle

Director Jennifer Peedom

Synopsis A feature documentary that takes us on a cinematic and musical odyssey, exploring our complex relationship with mountains. The history of a fascination. In collaboration with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

SINGING THE COUNTRY

56 mins

Tarpaulin Productions Pty Ltd

Producers Tom Murray, David Jowsey, Ian Ludwick

Director Tom Murray

Synopsis After more than 100 years in spiritual limbo, two Indigenous warriors are being returned to the rainforest country of their souls but a century of colonial rule has not been kind to their culture. Can Tom Gertz, their great-grandson, reignite' the dreaming songs that will lead their spirits safely home?

PSALM 91 (PART 2)

98 mins

The Sheik Film Company

Producers Katey Grusovin, Janine Hosking

Director Janine Hosking

Synopsis The story of two sisters and the dark secret they share.

ZACH'S CEREMONY

90 mins

Wangala Films Pty Ltd

Producers Sarah Linton, Alec Doomadgee

Executive Producer Mitzi Goldman

Director

LINK:	http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2015/mr_150616_doco_...
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